October31, 2010

San Antonio, Texas, is known for its popular tourist attractions, cultural heritage and of course, historical landmarks.

But experts say the very same attractions that define the Alamo City, also make it a potential target.

"The department of Homeland Security has put out a list of things that would attract terrorism,"said X. "One of those things is having a significant landmark. And of course we have the Alamo - that's one of the most significant landmarks of the United States.

Jeffrey Addicott is the director and founder of The Center for Terrorism at St. Mary's University's School of Law.

He's just one of many who says more border security is key to protecting our U.S. soil.

Because our border is porous, we're getting everybody to come across - a lot of the good, the bad and the ugly,"said Congressman Ted Poe. "And right now we're getting a lot of bad and ugly."

Within recent months, a Homeland Security alert was issued in Houston, warning authorities about this man - named Mohamed Ali, suspected of having ties to Somali terrorist group called Al-Shabab. And here in San Antonio, another Somali citizen was indicted on federal charges, accused of smuggling undocumented immigrants into the U.S., including some who have ties to a terrorist group called AIAI.

Experts believe the suspects are making way to Texas through Mexico, and they're using well-established human smuggling routes. The news is disturbing, to say the least, for local Somali resettlement centers who came to Texas to escape the violence in their home country.

Both FBIand ICEagents refused to comment on our story but military officials say close to 300 national guard troops were recently deployed to protect the States' 1,200-mile border with Mexico. But Gov. Rick Perry referred to the security measure as woefully insufficient.